Fire dismisses Guppy as president, GM

April 12, 2008|By Luis Arroyave, Tribune reporter

Asked March 31 about the job John Guppy had been doing as president and general manager of the Fire, team owner Andrew Hauptman said, "It's time for John and this team to perform to the expectations we have."

Hauptman added that he would "make changes if need be."

Less than two weeks later, Hauptman made a big change.

The Fire announced Friday it had dumped Guppy, ending his tenure on the three-year anniversary of his hiring. Former Chivas USA Chief Executive Officer Javier Leon will serve as interim president and GM while the Fire searches for Guppy's replacement. Leon is the managing director of Andell Sports Group -- the sports branch of Hauptman's investment group, Andell Holdings.

"John's professionalism and dedication has been valued and appreciated by the Fire organization, but I believe it is in the team's best interests to go in a new direction with its senior leadership and management," Hauptman said in a press release.

Guppy spent five seasons with the MetroStars before former Fire owner AEG named him to head the franchise in April 2005. When AEG sold the Fire to Hauptman in September, Guppy had to adapt to an owner who was significantly more hands on.

The sides frequently disagreed on how the team should be run. According to a source, Hauptman also blamed Guppy for the messy departure of former coach Juan Carlos Osorio. Guppy hired Osorio last summer, but the coach left in December to lead the New York Red Bulls.

"I'm proud of what the organization accomplished in my three years with the team," Guppy said. "I feel good about where the Fire is today. As time went on, I realized there was a difference in opinion between myself and the team owner. Now I want to do what's best for the Fire."

Because Major League Soccer teams rarely recycle former GMs, it's difficult to predict the leading candidates to replace Guppy. The search begins just three months after the Fire was involved in a lengthy coaching search that ended with the hiring of Denis Hamlett.

Guppy traveled with the Fire to San Jose on Thursday for Saturday's game against the Earthquakes. He was told of the decision Friday.

Guppy isn't sure what he will do next but didn't rule out returning to the league.

Under Guppy, the Fire signed Mexican soccer icon Cuauhtemoc Blanco, who finished third in MVP voting last season, and secured a jersey sponsorship deal with Best Buy. Guppy said he hopes to take advantage of the time off.

"I haven't had a true vacation in 20 years," Guppy said. "Now I can finally take my kids on that Disney vacation we've been talking about."